The Running Man

The Running Man (1987)

30 mistakes - chronological order

(4 votes)

Plot hole: There is no reason for the prison guards to use portable computers in full view of the inmates to input the sonic deadline code. The guards can walk outside of the deadline whenever they need to input the code, or radio the guard on the outside to lower and raise the deadline like they do when bringing the workers out. In fact, this plot hole is compounded by the presence of the guards stationed outside of the deadline with their own computer, which makes the guard inside the deadline completely unnecessary. The interior guard is only there so Weiss has a way to get both the code and a computer, but this prison set-up makes absolutely no sense.

BaconIsMyBFF

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: The point of having a portable on the outside and inside is in the case of an attempted prison break, if one of the computers is taken by the prisoners, the other can be used to prevent the deadline from shutting down. This was actually shown in the prison break scene where Weiss was unable to shut off the deadline with the inside computer was because the guards on the outside one were countering any attempts to close it.

That only explains why there is a guard outside with a computer. There is no reason to have a guard on the inside of the deadline with a computer. There can't be a prison break if there are no guards with a computer on the inside, the inmate's heads will explode if they cross the deadline.

BaconIsMyBFF

Continuity mistake: As Richards and Buzzsaw are trying to overpower each other with the saw between them, the angle of the saw changes between shots. First, it's over Ben's left shoulder, then over his right as Buzzsaw talks. Also, when Buzzsaw talks, you hear the saw revving, but the chain isn't moving.

Movie Nut

Other mistake: When Killian's guard goes to enter his code to open the gate, it starts to open when he touches the first digit, rather than after the last digit.

Movie Nut

Continuity mistake: When Richards is overpowered and pulled out of the pilot's seat in the chopper, his communications earpiece is still attached to him. As he's slammed into the back wall, it's suddenly gone.

Movie Nut

Other mistake: In the opening sequence of the Huey flying over the crowd, the uniforms of all five men stay unruffled, despite the doors and windows being open, which would allow the wind to pass through.

Movie Nut

Other mistake: The list of possible prisoners contestants the computer goes through shows different information, but the page with the 8 rows of double letters and numbers remains relatively the same, even though it's suppose to show variations and different information (i.e. AA always has -583 and -5483 and BB always has -484 and -4838).

Bishop73

Continuity mistake: When Amber and Ben are walking through the airport, and even when she hits him to flee, the group of people around them changes depending on the camera angle.

Bishop73

Continuity mistake: When Killian is talking to Agnes about the next kill, as she replies, "That's a tough one," her left index finger is on the corner of her mouth. After the camera cuts to Killian, the hand in several inches lower.

Robert Cotton

Continuity mistake: When Buzzsaw runs by Richards, cutting the pipe in half, he has the chainsaw on his left hand. The camera watches Buzzsaw turn around, and you don't see the chainsaw, as the rider's left hand is on the handlebar, controlling the turn. The camera cuts to Richards for a second, then back, and the saw is on Buzzsaw's hand again.

Robert Cotton

Damon Killian: Hi, cutie-pie. You know, one of us is in deep trouble. You know who I am?
Ben Richards: I've seen you before. You're the asshole on TV.
Damon Killian: That's funny. I was gonna say the same thing about you.

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Trivia: Jesse Ventura, who plays Captain Freedom, was invited to the film by Schwarzenegger after becoming friends while making Predator.

oswal13

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Question: At the very beginning of the movie, Ben refuses to fire on anyone even though he was under orders to do so. I can understand him being court-martialed for this but, why would they alter the video to show him killing innocent people with orders not to? And why send him to prison for allegedly killing innocent civilians?

Answer: They needed a scapegoat, someone to blame. The government controlled the people through violence, but at the same time tried to convince the people the government was fair (i.e. Runners who made it through were given their freedom when in fact they never left the arena alive). The people at Bakersfield were still massacred (that part wasn't made up) by the government in order to control the riot, but just not by Ben. But people would just riot more if they knew the government ordered their killing, so the footage was faked to make people think Ben acted alone and against orders. And to continue the ruse, they convicted him to appease the people and prevent them from rioting.

Bishop73

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